Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP14644) and 7 other sources
Thomas Charles Hawks, a 57-year-old man, was last seen on November 14, 2004, in Newport Beach, California, alongside his wife, Jackie Hawks. The couple had recently put their 55-foot yacht, named *Well Deserved*, up for sale after spending nearly two years sailing the Pacific Ocean. They planned to sell the yacht themselves to avoid high broker fees and had found a potential buyer, Skylar Deleon, who expressed interest in a test sail.

On the day they disappeared, Thomas and Jackie took the prospective buyers out for a trial trip. However, they were never seen again. In the days that followed, their vehicle was located in Ensenada, Mexico, and it was reported that suspicious activity had occurred on their bank accounts. Investigators soon discovered that Deleon and his accomplices had orchestrated a plot to rob and murder the couple.

Eyewitness accounts and evidence revealed that Thomas and Jackie were tied up and thrown overboard with an anchor, effectively drowning them. Despite an extensive search, their bodies were never recovered. The case drew significant media attention, particularly due to the gruesome nature of the crime and the involvement of a former child actor, Deleon, who later confessed to the murders.

Skylar Deleon and his accomplices were apprehended and faced severe legal consequences for their actions. Deleon was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death, while others involved received varying sentences. The Hawks' tragic case remains a chilling reminder of the dangers that can accompany seemingly innocent transactions.

Last Seen: Nov 14, 2004

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

84%Moderate
John Doe — California - unidentified case UP3094
John Doe — California
UP3094 • Found Feb 11, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 86%Est. 45–55 vs 57
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%188 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
82%Moderate
John Doe — Commerce, California - unidentified case UP13339
John Doe — Commerce, California
UP13339 • Found Jul 7, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 96%163 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP55211
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP55211 • Found Jan 16, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%38 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%198 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
81%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP3020 • Found Jul 31, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP104480 • Found Mar 22, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%180–190 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel
80%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP17010
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP17010 • Found Jul 28, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%182 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel
80%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP13458
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP13458 • Found Oct 7, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 65–80 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'10" vs 5'8"
Weight 63%134 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
80%Moderate
John Doe — California - unidentified case UP3032
John Doe — California
UP3032 • Found Mar 24, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 84%Est. 35–55 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 85%153 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
79%Possible
John Doe — Bellflower, California
UP14872 • Found Oct 16, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 34%115 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
79%Possible
John Doe — Shafter, California
UP61238 • Found Mar 11, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 65%151 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%180–210 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.